2008 is a Presidential election year in the USA, everybody who has been awake over the past couple of years has no doubt read about, seen on TV, or somehow heard about all the campaigning. Even if you live half the world away, you can’t escape the politics! So, my question for today is this – “If you are an American living in the Philippines, do you vote in US Elections?”
My answer is yes and no. I try to vote, but it doesn’t always happen. Honestly, this year I am less inclined to vote than in past elections, because I am really feeling that I don’t care that much about the whole thing. I mean, I’ve been living overseas for 8 years now, and honestly, what happens back in the District of Columbia (Washington DC) has little impact on my life. Also, frankly, I don’t see anybody running for President that I am enthused about. That’s a sad thing, because in the past I have been very active politically.
What about you? Do you intend to vote? Do you know how to vote if you are living overseas? If not, let me explain it a bit.
If you are like me, you are no longer a resident of any State in the USA. So, if you are not a State resident, how do you vote? Well, it’s not all that hard. Basically, you contact the Voter Registration office in the City or State where you used to live, and request to become a registered voter. You must explain to them that you are living overseas. Under US Law, if you previously lived in that State, they must allow you to vote there. However, there is a catch – you cannot vote in local or state elections, only on Federal Races. You are no longer a resident of the State, so you are not entitled to vote on local measures. In order to register, you will use the address where you used to live, but have your mailing address in the Philippines, or whatever country you live in.
After becoming a registered voter in the State you may request an absentee ballot to be sent to you. This absentee ballot will be mailed to you a month or so before the election. You must mark your ballot and return it to the address provided. Some states allow you to file as a permanent absentee voter, and the ballot will always be sent to you. Other states require that you request an absentee ballot in each and every election. You will need to check with your state to see which is the case where you vote.
One of the problems of voting in the Philippines, though, is timing. Since the absentee ballot is generally mailed out around a month before the election, it can be a little bit of a problem. The Post Office in the Philippines is notoriously slow, and sometimes it can take over a month for a letter to get from the USA and into your hands here in the Philippines. If it is possible to request some kind of express delivery from the Voter’s office in your “home” state, it would be a good idea to do so. You must cast your ballot and have it postmarked on or before election day for your ballot to be counted. In addition, it must reach the Voter office in the USA within a specified time, which can also be a problem when sending it from the Philippines. You may want to return it by FedEx or some other courier to be sure it makes it in time to be counted.
Recently the Democrat Party held a first time event for Americans living overseas. They had an “overseas” primary. If you registered and were a Democrat, you got to vote in the primary, and you cast your vote over the Internet! This was the first time that the Internet has been used in a US election process.
Well, honestly, I am still trying to decide if I will vote in 2008. I know that I should, and I probably will too. But, this year is a hard year for me to cast a ballot. I just don’t see a choice that I feel is right for me!
What amazes me as the BRIT here is how long it takes , it seems to go on for a year plus. Does this not create voter fatigue??
Uk maybe about six weeks of canvassing before the vote, and hats enough
you can also contact the overseas vote foundation on thier website and fill out the questionaire. After that you can print out the form and mail it in to your former voter reg office.
https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/h…
Yes I will vote in the elections, it's important that we do. We are expats but does that not mean we are still patriots? Also it is imporatnt to remember that the US is still a superpower and the direction her economy goes and her government is also the direction the world goes.
Please Vote Bob ❗
Not only will presidential aspirations be settled in 2008, so will all U.S. Representatives and 1/3 of all Senators. Congressional elections are vastly important to all, considering the "Congressional Hand" that affects all revenues, resources and expenditures. 😕
Moans about the changing exchange rate voiced here and in other blogs and media are directly related to governmental monetary actions. Voting is one of the ways a citizen can to do something other than play the victim role. 😥
So, in it's own little way, the elections (and their results) will affect the dollar-to-peso exchange rate. 😉
(I'll be casting my votes for those who will help push the exchange rate to 1USD=60PHP 😆 )
Hi BrSpiritus – You're right America controls the world economy.And if you are a democrat, history is in the making – first black president or first lady president
interesting. thanks. im voting and pretty sure this info will come in handy someday.
this post has potential for some fireworks. time to sit back & enjoy the view.
Yep, already voted in the primary… I faxed my absentee ballot, no problem. I think voting is important. I'm not going to get into any debate that arises! 🙂
John don't want to bring up size issues 🙄
But Britain is a wee bit smaller than the US.
Hi BrSpiritus – Yes, I feel that it is important to vote as well. I do plan to do so.
Hi Paul – My problem that I face in voting is that based on the track record, I feel that either party will basically do the same thing, so it's hard to decide this year.
Hi Ida – You will also be making history if you vote for the Republican candidate. John McCain would be the oldest person ever elected President.
Hi Macky – Things seem to have remained fairly calm so far! It is not my intention to start a political debate, rather just discuss the mechanics of voting from a foreign land.
Hi AmericanLola – Great work on voting in the primary! That is one ting I didn't do. However, my home state has caucuses and there is no absentee process.
Hi John – Actually, I think it would be accurate to say that the election process starts the day after the previous election takes place. It's a never ending thing!
Hi BrSpiritus – huh?
i must say, having lived through a number of elections in both countries (RP & US), the campaigning) are quite entertaining.
Voting in the Philippines can be stressful (and in some parts dangerous), but there is a consistent high turnout. Fascinating considering the never-ending bad news 7 broken promises. If the Pinoys still go, then citizens of far more developed countries should too (expats aside).
On McCain – not just the oldest. A former tortured POW for 5 yrs from certain neighbor in your part of the woods. That's pretty historic & wonderfully American.
hope i didn't digress too much.
John said six weeks of canvassing would be enough… maybe for England which is the size of Virginia, but six weeks would not be enough to cover all of the US… maybe just the states with the most electoral votes and that's not fair to the rest of the states.
Hi Macky – regarding McCain, I agree on that. My problem is that although each of them would be historic in some way, but I can't quite get excited about any of them!
Hi Louis – OK, I got you. Another thing to keep in mind is that as a Parliamentary system, really nobody has to run a national campaign – each MP must only be elected in his home district, and then elected by his Parliamentary party peers as the Prime Minister.
point taken. just adding more input on the historic candidate thing. i have my own opinion about the race, but i'll leave that to the mercy of other blogs.
Hi everyone!
It's been awhile that I haven't posted here. I keep reading the blog almost everyday though.
Anyway, by November, we will be living in Virgin Islands. Not bad compare to Mindanao, right? I haven't researched it thoroughly, but what I understood is they can't participate in US elections. However, if we don't transfer our voter's registration from VT, we can still do an absentee ballot – as what Bob described.
I do agree that either we vote or not, it seems that our vote don't really count anyway. However, just like Ida said – it's going to be a history in the making. To Bob and Macky – no I don't want that kind of history. 🙂 Ok, just kidding. I'm just a democrat, however, I don' dislike republicans. Let's make that clear. 🙂
Ok, I guess, that's enough. I agree with like American Lola. Yes, voting is important, and I would like to add, it's our right. And Bob, just be a good role model to your kids, so, you need to vote.
Yes, we can!
P. S. Did I divulge too much? 🙂 😆 Ok, that was intentional. 🙂 😀
Peace everyone, and take care.
My two cents on this is the 20 to 30 something have really rallied up for Obama. If he wins, then there is a generational change in the leadership of this country…..it's about time too! 😉
Hi Bob – Australia got about 6 weeks of campaining too just like in England and the head of the govt(PM) is decided on the no. seats by the congressional districts. With only 21 M population ( flies are more than that during summer ❗ ) and approx. a quarter(?) voters, decision is made in an hour.
Funny thing – supposedly, there was a great "generational change in leadership" in 1992! At least that was one of the selling points in the president-elect's campaign. 😆
Bob , Thanks for your post. Though I currently live in Texas,the information I'm sure is very helpful to ex-pats and that may include me next year. Of course, since I'm a retired government and history teacher, I do hope all vote. Some might also be interested in knowing that each of the major US parties has an organization called Democrats Living Abroad and Republicans Living Abroad and there is a representative living in the Philippines for each of these organizations. Thanks. Richard W
hi paul,
I change my mind and that you said that the ph60 to $1 .I will vote for that 😀
anita
Hi Bob my opinion that all the citizens it should vote for their country.
If can I like I would vote Obama I have confidence Obama.
Come on Macky – You have opinions? I had no idea! 😯
Hi Lea – Well…. you did give a bit of a clue there! I think I figured it out!!! 😆
Hi Dr. Long – Obama is just a few months older than I am, so it feels a little funny that the first person my age could be elected President this year.
Hello Ida – yes, I understand.
Hi Paul – 😆
Hi Richard Wilson – Those are two organizations that I did not know about.
Hi anita ceniza – It would indeed be nice!
Hi Zois – Yes, voting should be taken very seriously!
Here's the link to the Republicans living Abroad site:
Republicans Living Abroad http://www.republicansabroad.org/
…and just to be "fair and impartial"
Democrats Living Abroad http://www.democratsabroad.org/
P60/$ would be get a few votes if a candidate wanted to get the expat vote.
Mark
Hi to you Bob and all the others: of course my mother, Rose and I always voted – in Germany and also since living in the Philippines. As Zois sad: every citizen should vote for his/her country – and so we will do also next time…
Hi Mark – Thanks for providing that info! Fair and balanced – if you get my drift! 😉
Hi Klaus – Great to hear!
HI Lea – I'm actually in your camp 😉
Bob – if the trend continues, you may see government transitions in both your countries. someday, i'd love to heart your thoughts on how you deal with the distractions in the local news. life is good there but these are things that hold me & many others back. being a news junkie, it can stress me out.
Hi macky – Well, for sure the local news is distracting and full of even worse political fighting than what I had become used to in the States. I would like to see things settle down here a bit, and have the two sides (or is it more?) work together to improve the country and assist the people, who need it very badly.